New community center premiers with Rizal event

New community center premiers with Rizal event

A symposium on Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine national hero and martyr, was the maiden event for the Philippine Center Ontario, itself a new Filipino community center still to be formally inaugurated.

The symposium was held on Saturday, January 28 at the PCO premises within the Torres Taekwondo and Martial Arts Fitness School located at 2525 Warden Ave. in Scarborough.

Speakers discussed selected facets of Rizal’s life and times. Ka Miling Silverio, Canada Region Commander for the Order of the Knights of Rizal, gave an overview of the hero’s biography, focusing on the highligts leading to his martyrdom in Bagumbayan (Luneta).

A virtual tour retraced Rizal’s journeys in Europe through pictures via a Powerpoint presentation, organized by Lino Reyes, Chair of the Order of the Knights of Rizal Education Committee that sponsored the event. It showed places and buildings with markers and plaques installed by the Philippine Historical Commission and host governments designating these locations as historical sites and landmarks.

Rose Bustamante, BALITA columnist and a respected authority on Rizal, touched on the significance of his writings in today’s world, and especially as it applies to us- expatriate communities- as we strive to integrate in our adopted country. Bustamante has written extensively and delivered numerous lectures on this subject. In Metro Toronto, if not the whole Canada, she has perhaps the largest collection of Rizalista and Filipiniana books and materials, such that student researchers on Philippine topics are usually referred to her.

Dr. Tom Virey presented a situationer around Rizal’s birthplace and the surrounding vicinities during those times. The OKR Area Commander for Western Canada described the geography and sociopolitical conditions in that region that influenced decisively the unfolding of Philippine history.

A surprise speaker dealt with the subject of why Rizal is considered a Renaissance Man. Joe Luzadas, a retired professor of history with special interest on Rizal, gave an insight into the life of the hero as an educated, cultured man of his times who managed to excel in many fields and professions, in spite of his difficulties. Using Leon Ma. Guerrero’s books on Rizal, he pointed to phrases, idioms and verses used by the hero that are of common usage in our modern times, literally bringing Rizal to life in our age.
To give the event a cultural flavor, a Filipino folk dance was contributed by the Kababaihang Rizalista Dancers during the intermission, led by Amparo Rosario with Mercy Santos, Fely Alfaro, Estela Bischof, Norma Laxamana and Rosa Hilario as members, performed a Filipino folk dance.

Encouraged by the success of this first symposium, committee Chair Reyes said a series of symposia will continue at the PCO facilities. “It will aim to make connections with our roots, to share with others and build more appreciation for our culture and heritage. This will be specially suited for the Canadian-born and educated in our community, as well as for other fellow Canadians,” he said.

The PCO will hold its inauguration on Valentines Tuesday at 6:30 pm on February 14. There will be dinner and dancing.

Philippine Ambassador to Canada Jose Brillantes, as guest of honor, will cut the Inaugural ribbon. The facilities are provided by Jim Torres, owner of the Taekwondo school.

Mogi Mogado